By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Yellow Brick Road Tour finished with a big bright shine as the Los Angeles Dodgers made a $1 million donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation in honor of Elton John’s final tour in the United States, which culminates with three sold out shows at Dodger Stadium over the weekend.
Dodgers Chairman and principal owner, Mark Walter and tennis legend, activist, and Dodgers co-owner, Billie Jean King, joined Elton John on stage to present the donation at Saturday’s show.
“Beyond the obvious impact and joy of his music, Elton has been a social leader in fostering LGBTQ acceptance and equality and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS through the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” said Walter. “We at the Dodgers share Elton’s commitment to community, equality and service and are pleased to be able to support the work of the foundation. Billie Jean and I thank Elton for all he has achieved and congratulate him on his iconic career.”
The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world. The Foundation’s mission is simple: an end to the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS. With the mobilization of our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local experts across four continents, including North America, to challenge discrimination, prevent infections and provide treatment as well as influencing governments to end AIDS.
At the final performance John was joined by collaborators Dua Lipa, Brandi Carlile and Kiki Dee. Other celebrities in attendance included Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Lizzo, Heidi Klum, Angela Bassett, Jude Law, Billie Jean King, H.E.R., Donatella Versace, Miles Teller, Kirsten Dunst, JoJo Siwa, Connie Britton, Christopher Lloyd, John Stamos, Raven-Symoné and Taron Egerton, who portrayed John in the 2019 biopic “Rocketman.”
“I want to thank the Los Angeles Dodgers for their incredible generosity in making this amazing donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.” said the multi-Grammy winner. “I am thrilled to play my three final shows of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in the U.S. at Dodger Stadium, an iconic venue which has meant so much to me and my career.”
The Legendary singer’s connection with the Dodgers has long been public and includes one of his most iconic performances in 1975 when he appeared at Dodger Stadium in his spangled Elton John Dodgers’ uniform. The stadium was a fitting and poignant place for him to finish his US touring career.
